How to Care for Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) Indoors
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Botanical name: Tradescantia sillamontana
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Cobweb Spiderwort, White Velvet Plant, White Gossamer Plant
Cobweb Spiderwort Description
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) also called White Velvet Plant or White Gossamer Plant is a small upright perennial plant which bears highly branched hairy stems.
The Cobweb Spiderwort leaves are oblong-lanceolate and are in the shape of a boat's keel and may have a purple tone.
The flowers in Cobweb Spiderwort Plant are borne at the end of the stems and are a deep pink color.
The entire Cobweb Spiderwort plant is covered by white hairs and hence the common names. Cobweb Spiderwort grows to a height of 30-40 cm.
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) exhibits upright growth in the early stages of development but as it matures it exhibits prostrate growth and rooting at the soil surface.
Cobweb Spiderwort Origin
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) is endemic to dry areas of the State of Nuevo Len in northeastern Mexico and can also be found in Spain and Italy.
Buy beautiful and healthy Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) from Etsy.
Photo Credit: World of Succulents
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) Care Indoors
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) grows best in bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil. It prefers warm temperatures to thrive and has no need for high humidity.
The best soil for growing Cobweb Spiderwort is free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Continue reading for more on the growing conditions for Cobweb Spiderwort.
Cobweb Spiderwort Light Requirements
Cobweb Spiderwort grows best in bright, indirect light. It can also grow under a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Keep your Cobweb Spiderwort away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves. Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to water Cobweb Spiderwort
Water Cobweb Spiderwort thoroughly during the growing season and maintain the soil moist at all times. Reduce watering during the cold weather to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of your plant.
Temperature for Cobweb Spiderwort
Average warmth with a minimum 130C is ideal for your Cobweb Spiderwort. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.
Protect the plant from draughts as they can cause leaf drop. Read more on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity for Cobweb Spiderwort
Cobweb Spiderwort has no need for high humidity. Moderate (average) air humidity is ideal for this Plant.
However, where the temperatures are very high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity for your plant. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding) for Cobweb Spiderwort
Feed Cobweb Spiderwort with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period.
Withhold feeding for your Cobweb Spiderwort during the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
How to repot Cobweb Spiderwort
Repot Cobweb Spiderwort during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of your plant.
Soil for Cobweb Spiderwort
The best soil for Cobweb Spiderwort should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most cactus and succulents potting mixes are ideal for Cobweb Spiderwort. Buy quality cactus and succulents soil for your Cobweb Spiderwort from Etsy.
How to Prune Cobweb Spiderwort
Pruning Cobweb Spiderwort involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy.
To control the growth of your Cobweb Spiderwort and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cut back leggy stems of your Cobweb Spiderwort at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) Propagation
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) can be propagated during the growing period by plant divison or from stem-cuttings.
How to propagate Cobweb Spiderwort by plant division
Water your Cobweb Spiderwort thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take out your Cobweb Spiderwort from its pot and carefully divide it into sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least one set of leaves.
Select a 6 or 8 in. pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with loose, free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the Cobweb Spiderwort section.
Place the Cobweb Spiderwort section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Cobweb Spiderwort from stem cuttings
Cobweb Spiderwort stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting from a healthy Cobweb Spiderwort of about 4-6 in. and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the Cobweb Spiderwort cuttings to prevent rotting.
Fill your rooting container with loose, free-draining soil to a depth of about 4 in. Lightly moisten the soil.
With a pencil or similar object make a hole that is wider than the diameter of the Cobweb Spiderwort cutting. Carefully insert the Cobweb Spiderwort cutting in the hole made previously to a depth of about 3 in.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.
Allow the new Cobweb Spiderwort to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.
Photo Credit: Wild Roots
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) Problems Indoors
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) problems indoors are caused by cultural faults like improper watering, improper feeding and inadequate light. Read on for remedies and solutions to these problems.
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) loss of leaf color
Loss of leaf color in Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) is caused by inadequate light (too little light).
Move the Cobweb Spiderwort to a brighter spot, as it grows best in bright, indirect light but away from direct sunshine or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) dropping leaves
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) will readily drop its leaves if the light is inadequate (too little).
Ensure to place your Cobweb Spiderwort in a brightly lit place while protecting it from direct hot sunshine to avoid scorching of the leaves or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Cobweb Spiderwort leggy growth (elongated stems)
There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana). One possible cause of leggy growth in your Cobweb Spiderwort is too little light.
Move the plant to a brighter spot as it needs bright, indirect light to thrive or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
The second cause of leggy growth in your Cobweb Spiderwort is underwatering resulting too little moisture in the soil and thus the plant does not get enough water and nutrients necessary for growth.
Water the plant thoroughly to maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season. Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third cause of leggy growth in your Cobweb Spiderwort is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed your Cobweb Spiderwort every 4 weeks with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
Cobweb Spiderwort limp stems, yellow leaves
Limp stems and yellow leaves in Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) are due to underwatering.
Water the plant thoroughly to maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season and reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) dying
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) dying is caused by root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil.
Ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Also, reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and thus the plant does not require a lot of water.
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) diseases
Common diseases in Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) are root-rot disease and leaf spot. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat the plant appropriately for the disease.
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) pests
Common pests in Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) are Mealy Bugs, Aphids and Scale Insects. Isolate the affected plant and treat appropriately. Mist the leaves regularly to reduce infestation by these pests.
Is Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) toxic?
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) is mildly toxic to humans and pets.
If Cobweb Spiderwort is ingested the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth, tongue and throat.
The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling Cobweb Spiderwort.
